04 Feb Mobility Forums Provide Public a Voice on Critical Transportation Path

http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/transportation/transnews.cfm?nwsid=1811

Mobility Forums Provide Public a Voice on Critical Transportation Path

AUSTIN, Texas – National experts say Austin suffers from some of the nation’s worst traffic congestion, which will only get worse with the region’s rapid growth.  The City’s Austin Mobility Program is turning to the public to help establish the city’s transportation priorities. Six forums held throughout the city Feb. 8-11 will offer citizens a chance to express the community’s values and explore how they can shape near-term and long-term investments in our transportation system.

"Whether one uses roads, bikes, sidewalks, or transit, we all have a stake in an efficient, sustainable transportation system," said Rob Spillar, director of the Austin Transportation Department. "Citizens who use the transportation system are best suited to tell us what they want and need from that system, and these forums are designed to capture those ideas."

Since last fall, the City has compiled more than 1,200 needed transportation projects identified by citizens, technical experts, city staff and other government agencies. The City will use the citizen criteria gathered at the forums to help identify the highest priority projects to pursue first – with larger projects considered for a future mobility bond election.

"There is no silver bullet to fix all of our transportation problems; we will have to use a variety of tools to manage our mobility needs," said Spillar. "The more people participate in the forums and share their ideas and values, the more robust our system plan will become."

Dates and locations of the Mobility forums are as follows: 

Reagan High School
Monday, Feb. 8 from 6-8 p.m.
7104 Berkman Dr.             
Austin, TX 78752
(512) 414-2523
Map 

Mexican American Cultural Center
(Sign Language Interpreters available)
Tuesday, Feb. 9 from 8-10 a.m.
600 River Street
Austin, TX 78701             
(512) 478-6222
Map 

Bowie High School
Tuesday, Feb. 9 from 6-8 p.m.
4103 West Slaughter Lane  
Austin, TX 78749      
(512) 414-5247
Map 

One Texas Center
(Sign Language Interpreters available)
Wednesday, Feb. 10 from 6-8 p.m.
505 Barton Springs Road, Rm. 325
Austin, TX 78704             
(512) 476-2315
Map 

Murchison Middle School
Wednesday, Feb. 10 from 6-8 p.m.
3700 North Hills Dr.           
Austin, TX 78731                  
(512) 414-3254
Map 

Widen Elementary School
Thursday, Feb. 11 from 6-8 p.m.
5605 Nuckols Crossing Road
Austin, TX 78744
(512) 414-2556
Map